LR unable to see readable files

[Roland382163397fha]

I downloaded a massive directory of more than 1000 photos off my cloud. It was organized infolders, sub folders, sub folders, and then photos.

I placed the directory into the same directory I was already using with LR, but LR says it cannot find any editable files in the folders. If I take the last sub folder and place it into the parent directory, LR will read it, but it will not read it with any more sub folders ahead of it. What's going on? What is it about these folders that is preventing lighroom from seeing what's inside, while being able to view the entire folder tree? It shows every folder but can't see the pictures inside. Makes no sense to me.

[Roland382163397fha]

I should also add, I tried restarting computer, tried uninstalling/reinstalling LR... nothing has made a difference. I was able to load the pictures into LRC and edit them no problem. It's just LR that doesn't work. 

[Roland382163397fha]

I have been able to save a .jpg into a deep sub folder, drag the image directly into LR, and suddenly the folder populates with all of the images. However, if I then go to the parent folder, all the interior files disappear. Some files will not populate even when I drag them in. This makes absolutely no sense to me; as I said, LRC is perfectly able to import the entire directory no problem.

[Victoria Bampton LR Queen]

I assume you're using the Local mode in Lightroom Desktop? It currently only reads files directly in the selected folder, not the contents of subfolders. This is different to Lightroom Classic, which does have an "Include Photos in Subfolders" option. 

[Roland382163397fha]

If I go into the end sub folder of this directory, it shows empty. I can drag the photos from the folder into the lightroom window and it will suddenly show some, but not all. I tried recreating the entire folder directory and no change. I tried emailing the picture to a friend and he was able to see the picture. I downloaded the picture from attachment and it was visible. Looking at EXIF, I see no changes. I tried uploading the entire directory to cloud and re-downloading it, but that somehow doesn't change anything. I'm at a complete loss for why they don't show up.